A question about $521,700 earmarked for Kiryas Joel got the most attention at a Town Hall meeting today in Woodbury – the Times Herald Record reports.

Rep. John Hall, had been instrumental in securing the funding, part of a $516 billion appropriations bill passed by Congress at the end of 2007. Kiryas Joel asked Hall’s office for the money to purchase a radio communications system for its security services.

Kiryas Joel does not have its own police department, and radio communications would help its security services protect it from hate crimes or terrorism.

The village had argued in its application, Hall said; but some in the audience, however considered the funding favoritism.

Woodbury Police Chief Robert Kwiatkowski argued that Kiryas Joel’s request should have fallen under the purview of Orange County’s E-911 system. Hall replied that Kiryas Joel asked for the money; the county did not.

Hall said the funding represented a small fraction of the money he was able to receive for local governments.

(Source: Times Herald Record / YW-112)